Accident on Lookout Mountain

I went for a road ride up Lookout this evening since I wasn't sure the trails would be dry. A road cyclist was involved in a serious accident this evening on Lookout. I just missed witnessing the crash, however, it appeared the cyclist lost it coming down the switch back just before the straight away leading down to the Windy Saddle parking area. It did not appear any motorized vehicle was involved.

My thoughts are with the cyclist. When I passed the area a trooper and an ambulance had just arrived. The cyclist lay face down in the middle of the road in a pool of blood. A lot of blood was running down the street. A lot. The paramedics appeared to be talking to the rider. But the rider appeared to be convulsing.

Rather then gape at the scene I decided to walk around the scene and continue riding up the road to Buffalo Bills. Upon reaching the entrance to Buffalo Bill's, I found a county police officer and Jeffco open space ranger had closed the entrance to the rest area so a helicopter could be landed. Cyclists were being prevented from riding down Lookout. Motorists were also not allowed down.

The Jeffco Open Space ranger asked me and several other cyclists to prevent traffic from heading down the road while she and the police went to coordinate the landing of the helicopter in the parking lot at Buffalo Bill's. Within 10 minutes the ambulance came up with the cyclist and a helicopter landed. The road was then re-opened.

We have a thread about riding above your skill level. We also have a contentious thread contrasting road cyclists with mountain bikers. Seeing that cyclist in the road in that state had me thinking. Push yourself beyond your current skill level if you're so inclined. However, consider doing so in baby steps. I suspect the cyclist was going too fast through the switch back for his ability and began to loose it. This likely caused him to over correct and then he high sided.

I acknowledge that cyclists and mountain bikers have their differences. Some would say big differences. To me, mountain bikers seem to be more friendly. Really talented mountain bikers seem less likely to be elitist then very talented road riders. Mountain bikers seem to have a better sense of humor. Some would say mountain bikers have a greater affinity for adrenalin. Some would say mountain bikers have better technical skills.

I grew up on bikes. When I thought I'd never ride again due to injury I was devastated. Bikes have shaped my life. They lead me to Colorado from my native Chicago. Perhaps bikes mean as much to you as they do to me. Perhaps they mean as much to the road cyclist you pass by too. Perhaps we have that in common.

I like riding Lookout as a climb and would love to be able to go as fast (It's easy to get going really fast) as I wanted without traffic or gravel or parked cars or uphill traffic or....... Since that never happens I ride with plenty of room for error.

I hate seeing anyone hurt doing anything. It doesn't matter if I like or agree with the activity or not. It doesn't matter if I think they are hurt because they're over their head, or pulled a dumb maneuver or as too many seem to say, "got what they deserved". I hate to see or hear of anyone laying in a pool of blood.

Well said, however there are those of us who enjoy riding on the road, in a tight and twitchy pack and who also relish riding singletrack. Perhaps that injured cyclist that you saw was just one such guy. May he survive and recover quickly.

I truly hate seeing people hurt...but you're drawing conclusions on too much in your post... especially about what you are guessing that happened and about them riding above skill levels without knowing or seeing them ride. Just because you fall hard doesn't necessarily mean you are above your skill level, crap just happens. If you want to be, or are a fast biker...falling is all part of it...and it can all be potentially deadly during every single fall. We have to deal with that.

I really hope he turns out all right...and at the worst...is still alive. Thank you for the update on what you saw.

Very well said, gearwhine! I dare say that there are many of us who ride both road and mtn. Although we may prefer mountain over road, you willl see us on those skinnys on occasion. All it takes is for a tube to blow, or a bit of gravel to cause you to slide out, or.... you just don't know and it has nothing to do with riding above your skill level. Things. Just. Happen.

My thoughts go out to this cyclist and I hope he is back in the saddle quickly. Thanks OP for the report!

I acknowledge that cyclists and mountain bikers have their differences.

the last time i checked, people riding mountain bikes were cyclists

the pigeon-holing and stereotyping of different cycling disciplines are sad conclusions that can be drawn by any media zombie who listens to people who are sellling that particular brand of bovine void

the pigeon-holing and stereotyping of different cycling disciplines are sad conclusions that can be drawn by any media zombie who listens to people who are sellling that particular brand of bovine void

it's just riding a bike, not rocket science

I concur. The OP should have stopped while he was ahead, but no, we can't be spared the obligatory "the injured road rider was probably just riding above his head and mountain bikers are nicer people who have better technical skills" blast. I'm guessing he didn't even realize what he did, but that's sort of the problem.

I was out on my road bike today and there was a lot of gravel on the road from the rain which makes things a bit more "technical" than normal from a skinny tire perspective. You don't really think about it at the time, but there are a lot of things that can go wrong (some in your control and many that are not) when you're spinning out your big gear at 40+ MPH and preparing to brake for an upcoming turn, regardless of whether you've ridden the route a hundreds times or not.

Hopefully the downed rider survives and recovers... I'm hoping that it's good news that there is not a story on the local news about the accident yet.

Perhaps I was saying, like the old Hill Street Blues show, "Let's be careful out there." I'm not an EMT. There wasn't anything I could add to the situation so I felt it disrespectful to gawk at possibly a dying person and I don't see the reason for the harsh attitudes toward our fellow bike riders.

Sounds like a bad accident. I sure hope everything turns out OK. I live in Golden and ride Lookout fairly often; it's my I've-got-an-hour-to-get-in-a-quick-ride option. I was descending Lookout last week and noticed that there is a lot of pebble-sized gravel in the Apex of the turns. It was enough that I backed off the speed significantly. My friend and I were talking afterward and we both commented that it felt like perhaps it had been down on purpose, maliciously. I don't know if the rocks in the apex of the turn were a contributing factor in this accident, but it might be worth mentioning to county officials.

Sounds like a bad accident. I sure hope everything turns out OK. I live in Golden and ride Lookout fairly often; it's my I've-got-an-hour-to-get-in-a-quick-ride option. I was descending Lookout last week and noticed that there is a lot of pebble-sized gravel in the Apex of the turns. It was enough that I backed off the speed significantly. My friend and I were talking afterward and we both commented that it felt like perhaps it had been down on purpose, maliciously. I don't know if the rocks in the apex of the turn were a contributing factor in this accident, but it might be worth mentioning to county officials.

I wondered the exact same thing yesterday. My impression was that it was done on purpose by someone trying to make a point to bikers and/or skaters. It just seemed too consistent throughout the whole route. I hit one of those small rocks and it momentarily jacked with my balance.

I did a Chimpex loop last week and when I hit the road at Windy Saddle there was a city worker hand sweeping the corner right there at the Windy Saddle lot. There was a lot of gravel there and he said the city had gotten a lot of calls from roadies complaining about it.
So, he actually sweeps it fairly often.

Sounds like a bad accident. I sure hope everything turns out OK. I live in Golden and ride Lookout fairly often; it's my I've-got-an-hour-to-get-in-a-quick-ride option. I was descending Lookout last week and noticed that there is a lot of pebble-sized gravel in the Apex of the turns. It was enough that I backed off the speed significantly. My friend and I were talking afterward and we both commented that it felt like perhaps it had been down on purpose, maliciously. I don't know if the rocks in the apex of the turn were a contributing factor in this accident, but it might be worth mentioning to county officials.

I think the heavy rain is more likely the reason.....I was up there yesterday on a road ride as well and saw the life flight.....I hope the person involved is okay.

I rode centennial cone yesterday and there were some rocks the size of grapefruits all over the trail. I am guessing it's the same scenario as lookout, heavy rains washing debris into the trail and road

I would echo the sentiments of others and note that I myself have had close calls on Lookout because of the gravel, and have even hit pieces of slate out in the road coming down the I-70 service road. Once at 45 mph, knocking both hands off the bars and the stem into my chin. Even hit a red house brick in the shoulder while coming down 285 one time. I'm lucky to be alive. (Gee I wonder how that brick got there?)

There are so many variables on the road. It could have even been a hit and run driver. Only one person knows, and he probably won't remember from the sound of it.

On a side note, I would just say that after sitting on a bus and touring roads with elected officials last week, I am in no way reassured that our safety is a concern to these folks. For fear of loosing my job, that's all I'll say about what I heard come out of some peoples mouths last week. It was disgusting.

Take that for what you will. The reality is that you're "on your own" the second you sling a leg over the top tube. Ride at your own risk. Expect deadly obstacles around every corner. Be prepared for the unexpected. Survive to ride another day. Sadly, nobody else cares about your safety on the road, or trails now so it seems, but you.

Exactly. I ride a street motorcycle and many people tell me that they want to get one and ask me for advice. I tell them to make sure you understand that everyone is out to kill you on the road. Somewhat of an exaggeration but that is how I treat every car on the road. Once you start assuming people see you or are looking out for you then you can get yourself into trouble.

Originally Posted by UncleTrail

Sad to hear.
Take that for what you will. The reality is that you're "on your own" the second you sling a leg over the top tube. Ride at your own risk. Expect deadly obstacles around every corner. Be prepared for the unexpected. Survive to ride another day. Sadly, nobody else cares about your safety on the road, or trails now so it seems, but you.

<snip>
Take that for what you will. The reality is that you're "on your own" the second you sling a leg over the top tube. Ride at your own risk. Expect deadly obstacles around every corner. Be prepared for the unexpected. Survive to ride another day. Sadly, nobody else cares about your safety on the road, or trails now so it seems, but you.
UT

This is exactly how I approach riding my bike... especially on my work-commute. I avoid roads like the plague. I'm fortunate in that I don't have to get on any major roads on my route... and to be honest, I probably wouldn't commute if I had to.

Sounds like a bad accident. I sure hope everything turns out OK. I live in Golden and ride Lookout fairly often; it's my I've-got-an-hour-to-get-in-a-quick-ride option. I was descending Lookout last week and noticed that there is a lot of pebble-sized gravel in the Apex of the turns. It was enough that I backed off the speed significantly. My friend and I were talking afterward and we both commented that it felt like perhaps it had been down on purpose, maliciously. I don't know if the rocks in the apex of the turn were a contributing factor in this accident, but it might be worth mentioning to county officials.

I ride Lookout a lot, and I've noticed that after they re-paved, they put a lot of road base/gravel along the sides of the road to bring the level up. Since that time, it seems a lot of that road base makes it's way onto the road. Cars pulling off, then kicking up the gravel as they pull back onto the road and heavy rains I assume are the culprit. I doubt anyone did that on purpose since every switchback is covered in it. Definitely scetchy coming through the turns now. I'm not sure why they couldn't of just paved the extra foot on either side of the road...especially with the amount of cycling that takes place. Hope the rider will be OK

Thank you very much for giving us an update. It might sound trite but I was affected by the idea that I may never know what became of him. I also want to clarify a few things. Sometimes its difficult to succinctly and clearly convey one's thoughts in a post to a forum such as this.

While yesterday's events caused me to contemplate the thread on this forum about riding above one's limits, I actually was not assuming that the rider in this accident was riding above his abilities nor that his abilities were low. I was simply reminding of the post about riding above one's abilities and thinking about the prudence of being careful. I now understand that my thoughts as I wrote them may have been interpreted as if I was being accusational. That was not my intent.

The other concept which may have been misconveyed on my part or misinterpreted by readers was the idea that I hold road cyclists in low regard or don't consider mountain bikers cyclists, or think road cyclists lack skill. Quite the contrary. In recent years I have done more road biking then mountain biking so I identify heavily with road riding. I was saddened to read that other post regarding the cyclist killed by the trucker because, to me, much of that thread seemed to blast road cyclists. In my mind participants in the two disciplines, road and mountain, have more in common then many seem to think. I do, however, perceive differences between the two communities. Perhaps, I didn't convey my thoughts as well as I would like to have. However, I was attempting to highlight that while some may perceive differences between the two communities, we have more in common then many might realize.

My thoughts continue to be with this cyclist. I truly hope for the best in the most sincere way.

thank you.
there are so many feelings that are wrapped around our friend being hurt -- we have no idea what happened. our co-worker came around the corner and found our friend in the middle of the road. can you imagine how that would feel? I cannot.

I am so saddened by his accident. There are so many questions. He is so loved.

I ride a motorcycle as does my friend. I typically ride above my ability -- pushing my limit --I'm sure you know the thought process of mortality. Last night when my friend was in ICU, I was filling out my Five Wishes (the paperwork one should fill out so that if they end up in this very condiditon their wishes are carried out). sigh.....

have you thought of that and filled out the paperwork? if not, you should

Slightly related topic....if a rider wants to put together a will and living will with healthcare directives without spending a lot of money on an attorney, Legal Zoom might be an inexpensive option to consider. I'm not affiliated with the company but that is where I constructed my will and directives.

I am so saddened by his accident. There are so many questions. He is so loved.

I think this touches a nerve for a lot of us. Just know that we're all pulling for him.

Despite the superficial and immature "us vs. them" swagger on this forum, it's important to take these moments and remember that we're all out there to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise, be inspired, and have a thrill or two in our own way. Enjoy every moment.

For those of us who have been in super bad cycling accidents (road or mtn), knowing that your friends and family are there is so important. Having the support of your community is wonderfully uplifting. I know that I was extremely thankful and blessed with the love and support that I received. I sincerely wish a speedy recovery for your friend/coworker. Lots of healing thoughts are going his way!

We are all hoping and praying for the best, and knowing as friends we have our work cut out for us. He is a stubborn German and we believe that and the love for his wife will be on his side!

My friend riding with him that day said there was a fantastic woman, Elizabeth, that got down on the road talking to our friend telling him he could make it and that help was on the way. I hope by chance she finds this site and we can tell her THANK YOU, from all of us.

It amazes me how great people can be when they need to step up and help, from directing traffic, to offering payers. The human spirit is awesome. That is exactly how my friend would be in a time of need.

I am glad that the injured cyclist is doing better. He has a long recovery before him, and I wish him well.

Perhaps all of us can take a few lessons from this?

- The roadie that you sneer at could be the mountain biker that passed you on the trail yesterday. Many of us ride both mountain and road. So remember when you disparage roadies as being elitist, rude or dressing funny, then go on about how cool, laid back, humorous and friendly mountain bikers are, many times you are talking about the SAME PEOPLE.

- Lots of people read these forums, and some of them could be (like coworker) a friend or family member of the person fighting for their life after an accident. Be sensitive, or least courteous enough to not speculate or point fingers about the incident if you don't know the details. Seriously, the appropriate post is "this is what I saw: ______ ; I hope the victim is OK".

- No matter how skilled you are, accidents can happen to anyone at any time. I have an acquaintance, a strong rider with many years of experience, who is recuperating from a broken leg. He stalled out on a waterbar climbing Mt Falcon, and fell down the hillside. He has ridden that trail scores of times. Was he riding above his skill level? I'd say not. I myself had a ridiculous crash on Green Mountain, on a smooth trail, due to a poorly timed lapse of attention. I wasn't riding above my skill level, either. Stuff happens.

I've ridden down Lookout Mtn on my bike a few times. No doubt you have too. Just because we haven't crashed yet, doesn't mean it couldn't happen next time.

I would hope there is always a lesson to learn, including my friends that I ride motorcycles with.

They complain about cyclists on a regular basis. I hope they will think of our friend when they pass those on bikes and pass judgement. As Scrambler said, we are all out to do the same thing. Can't we all just get along?

Don't judge, look out for each other and yourself, relax and have fun. That's what it is all about.

hospital visit

Went to see my friend today.

I said 'Good Morning Dammit' in true fashion of how we greeted each other every day...no smile this time though. He is still unconscious.

The RN said he was never in a medically induced coma. She said he had been sedated to keep him calm and resting. She also said there has been no change in his status. Being the positive glass-half-full-person, that is good that it hasn't gotten worse.

He is now off of those meds and they are waiting for him to wake up, which he will do on his own time. It could take a week, it could take three, it could take 6 months. Brain injuries are so very different by individual and incident. His RN said she was riding her bike to see a friend at lunch time, a close little ride and she was hit by a car. She was thankfully ok - but a true reality check from someone who sees accidents everyday. Wear your helmet.

They are going to do an MRI to check his brain and his neck. If his neck looks good they will take the collar that is protecting it right now. She said that while they can look at a scan and possibly predict his outcome, it will take him being awake to know what will happen next.

Brother will be here Tuesday. His wife is there every day. God Bless Her.

Get better bud -- we are all pulling for you and we miss your smiling face.

Mri....

Shows no good news, mimimal improvement expected.
Brother and wife came to work to pack up his office.
A numb silence.
So fuggin sad.
I will not give up on him
We will fight together.
As he did as a soldier.
As an American
As a man
As a husband
I will not give up!

thank you coworker for the updates and the commitment to your friend. please pass our thoughts along to the family and let them know of the community praying for them all.

+1 ^^^ This is so sad to hear. We all will continue to keep your friend in our thoughts! Please let us know if anything changes. I admire you dedication to your friend. I repeat what dlcrow has said -- please let his family know that our community has been sadden by this turn of events and wishes everyone strength in this difficult time.

I was racing down Lookout with a friend 2 years go, and let testosterone get the best of me trying to be faster. I had to of been going 30mph or so....

I still have no idea what happened...I think it was a blown tire, but it could have been just me going too fast and making a mistake. My bike started skidding...I put down both feet on the pavement and skidded more....I thought I might be able to hold my balance, but nope...I wipeout hard and went sliding for forever. Good thing there were no cars at the time....and good thing my friend had lots of skill to avoid me as he was behind me.

I was able to walk to the shoulder and wait for my friend to bring his truck to take me to the ER. I think maybe 2 riders asked me if I needed help, but everyone else just looked at me all bloody and kept riding. lol.

It was then I switched 100% to mtn biking, and I can't bring myself to go fast at ALL now...on singletrack or whatever. I have confidence going down technical stuff, but I'm super pokey on downhills.

Okay, over my anger, some of us need to get angry to go on.....
While the MRI may assume minimal improvement, the honest truth is, ' they' have nothing more than am educated guess or assumption until my friend actually wakes up. Many of us went to visit today. He responded to non PC but funny comments, the human touch escalated his heart rate damn near instantly. He's in there, I know he is and that makes me smile and hopeful.

I was able to walk to the shoulder and wait for my friend to bring his truck to take me to the ER. I think maybe 2 riders asked me if I needed help, but everyone else just looked at me all bloody and kept riding. lol.

It was then I switched 100% to mtn biking, and I can't bring myself to go fast at ALL now...on singletrack or whatever. I have confidence going down technical stuff, but I'm super pokey on downhills.

Good grief how could anyone pass another person and not offer help. I'm glad a person
like Elizabeth was there to help.

My friend looks better today although his brain is still very swollen. He is going to be moved soon to a long care facility. His wife who I met today said he will have a view of the mtns, one she knew he would like.
She said her hubby would fight like a tiger and she would be forever by his side.

We shared tears when we wondered why God lets the good and kind people get hurt and there are so many mean and evil people in the world. Why God why?

my attempt to reply last night failed-sorry.
Thank you for your thoughts. It is six weeks ago today that his accident occured. He is in a long care facility, unconscious still. It sucks. His brain is still very swollen and we are all waiting for him to wake up...
I rode my motorcycle up Lookout Mtn this weekend, practicing my cornering. Saw a guy with bloody arms and legs going up...ouch! Saw even more hauling a$$ down. Y'all are crazy. I get it that your adrenaline gets going...but damn.....please be careful. Your life could change in an instance.
Thx for the thoughts. God bless.

snip...less likely to be elitist then very talented road riders. Mountain bikers seem to have a better sense of humor. Some would say mountain bikers have a greater affinity for adrenalin. Some would say mountain bikers have better technical skills.

I want to add a touch here. I was a weekend warrior on the MTB for years then recently picked up road riding. I was pretty sure of my riding and thought that I was coming into road riding with a readily-transferrable set of handling skills. As many here can attest, it is a very different sport. Also, like you, I felt that many roadies were elitest. It wasn't until I realized how dangerous riding in a pack was that I started to shun (get in front of) the squirrlier riders. MTB wrecks are often solo. Howvever, roadies are so close that wrecks often cause a domino effect. Couple that with the fact that there is nothing soft to land on and a lot of the elitest conventions end up being nothing more than simple survival strategies. In the end, if someone in the pack sees that a rider doesn't confirm to the roadie conventions, it becomes a queue to pass and stay in front of said rider. It's an unfortunate reality but one that I've reluctantly come to appreciate.

I hope the guy ends up OK. I rode through a blood stain at the Bannock crit last weekend (talk about adrenalin!). Sobering.

--- edit to add --- Sorry folks, I didn't notice how old this thread is (haven't hung around here much in 2011). I saw it on the list and responded after skimming many of the posts. I just noticed the update above. I'll be taking my descents a little slower today.

another co-worker visited our friend yesterday, the surgeon said there is nothing else they can do for our friend and his condition is actually deteriorating. He has additional swelling near the brain stem.

It's a sobbering thought as to how quickly one's life can change. My friend's situation has tought me plenty - being grateful and realizing how fortunate I am. Life is good.

So saddened by this, reading it for the first time. Like so many others, I send my most sincere best wishes for your friend's full recovery. He, as well as his family and entire support network will be in my thoughts. Be safe all. We can't have too many Elizabeths either...

So sorry to hear this update. I sincerely hope that things will turn around quickly for your friend and that the brain stops swelling and gets back normal as quickly as can be expected. As so many know, the brain swelling around the brain stem is extremely dangerous. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to your friend and his family.

another co-worker visited our friend yesterday, the surgeon said there is nothing else they can do for our friend and his condition is actually deteriorating. He has additional swelling near the brain stem.

It's a sobbering thought as to how quickly one's life can change. My friend's situation has tought me plenty - being grateful and realizing how fortunate I am. Life is good.

wow, just came across this thread (don't live in co). this must be so hard for his friends/family- especially his wife- i hope she has someone to take care of her too. so sorry to hear this. miracles can happen and i'm sending positive thoughts his way.

I am so sorry to hear this, coworker. Your friend has battled long and hard. I know that we all will continue to keep you, your friend and his wife/family & friends in our hearts, prayers and thoughts. This is not an easy time..........

Our friend passed away at 6:30 last night.
No more suffering....
A cyclist friend of mine told me last night, "Don't you ever forget that your friend died doing something he enjoyed, hauling a$$ down Lookout Mountain!!!"

It is with great sadness that I share with you the loss of ..... Last night at about 6:30 p.m., He passed from injuries he received in a bicycle accident in June.

An engineer and a veteran, he was well liked by everyone who knew him. He was a positive person and always had a smile on his face every time I saw him. He was a tremendous person and welcomed friend. I will miss him deeply.

Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. His colleagues in the engineering office will send funeral details when they are set.

Dude really, you shame his soal, yes he seemed to love to ride but don't you dare undermine his love to defend his country, take it from all of us who've been out there defending what you find common place we loved our country and way of life enough to step to the front and defend it. Thanx for stepping in there and being this political

Dude really, you shame his soal, yes he seemed to love to ride but don't you dare undermine his love to defend his country, take it from all of us who've been out there defending what you find common place we loved our country and way of life enough to step to the front and defend it. Thanx for stepping in there and being this political

You made it political. He called this man a HERO, and this was clearly not in reference to his love of biking.

Your attitude and agenda are out of place in this thread.

This should be about a tragic loss of life, not your overly sensitive perception of a slight to your patriotism... not the venue.

I have followed this thread from the beginning with the greatest of hope for his recovery. My heart-felt condolences to the friends and family of this man.

(ps. @ coworker, is there a fund or anything set up to help his family?)